Can I use up some of the food in my pantry?

I have come to realize I have a problem. I like to shop for food. Lately, I have been on an organic,natural healthy kick. I feel like I need to go to the store at least once a week to get fresh food. While I am there, I rack up a rather large bill. I stumbled across an article today that mentioned people shop for food because they feel like they are providing for their family and it takes up time. Bingo! That is me.

So now I am on a mission to create a meal plan. I still plan to eat organic when available and cut out a lot of the bad things that the kids eat. No more high fructose corn syrup and dyes in food. I need to use up the things in my pantry because I am starting to act like a squirrel gathering nuts. I have really been liking some of the blogs that I have been reading lately. They inspire me and drive me to be a better homemaker.

Tonight I reviewed what I had in my pantry and created a meal plan for the rest of the month, which is about 3 weeks. Guess what? I created enough meals with what I have that I have less than 17 items on my grocery list.

Here are some of the meals I have planned:

Taco Soup

Braised Turkey Breasts

Fettuccine Alfredo

Beef Stew

Soft Tacos with refried beans

Breakfast for dinner

Talapia in a panko bread crust

Pizza and Popcorn night, using fresh whole wheat dough (bread machine recipe)

Sloppy Joes (Because I can't get away with this while Derek is here)

Bison burgers with french fries

The list goes on...

We shall see how this goes. Overall, I want to spend less. I still want to eat organic but it is rather hard up here in Alaska. This meal plan will help me so I don't go up to Fred Meyer's and go crazy. With yummy meals for dinner, makes yummy left overs for lunch. I also plan to make homemade hummus, texas caviar and pizza rolls for lunch.

Wish me luck!